Angle station for belt conveyers



July 24, 1951 M L K 2,561,708

ANGLE STATION FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed July 50, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet l 44 dam/z? A Ilorney V July 24, 1951 MlLlK 2,561,708

ANGLE STATION FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed July 30, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 171081110! jwgzmzl 1/? wbwz A Home;

July 24} 1951 v R M 2,561,708

ANGLE STATION FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed July 30. 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Attorney July 24, 1951 M|| ]K 2,561,708

ANGLE STATION FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed July 30, 1948 FIGS; 16

I n venlor A homey 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 24, 1951 R. MILIK 2,561,708 ANGLE STATION FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed July 50, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Altar/Icy July 24, 1951 R. MILIK 2,561,708 7 ANGLE STATION FOR BELT CONVEYERS Filed July so, 1948 6 'Sheets-SheetG c F/e/s'.

l- SZF' Z/ I nve ntor fwd/ M/Az Attorney Patented July 24, 1951 2,561,708 ANGLE STATION FOR BELT CONVEYERS Rudolf Milik, London,

Conveyors Limited, company England, assignor to Milik London, England, a British Application July 30, 1948, Serial No. 41,562 In Great Britain July 29, 1946 13 Claims. (Cl. 198-484) This invention relates to endless belt conveyors and has particular reference to angle stations so-called, that is, to arrangements provided for supporting and controlling an endless conof travel, as viewed in plan, while itsmotion in the two directions. its direction of travel the belt run becomes inverted and drops from one level to another; in otherwoi'ds the surface which is uppermost at the entry to the angle station becomes the undersurface of the belt run leaving the angle station at a lower level.

In the specification of my copending patent application Serial No. 586,886, I have described an angle station constructed for the purpose above-referred to, which comprises a plurality of freely revoluble sectional rollers which provide support for the inner concave surface of the belt where it changes direction and which serve simultaneously to prevent wander of the belt from its normal line of travel. In the angle station described in the above-noted specification, each sectional roller consists of a plurality of laterally adjacent discs which combine to form for the roller a bulging contour corresponding to the concavity of the portion of the belt supported thereby, and the sectional roller preferably has an overall length which is substantially equal to the Width of the supported belt. Further, in the particular arrangement illustrated in the drawings of said specification, sectional rollers of fir-cone shape and of symmetrical elongated barrel form are shown, the freely revoluble discs which constitute each sectional roller being mounted side by side on ,a straightaxle.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved angle station using improved belt-supporting units of sectional roller form for use at such angle stations, said belt-supporting units affording more support at the bend of the belt than in the arrangements described in the copending specification referred to, by reason of the fact that the "improved belt-supporting units provided by the present invention permit of the belt-supporting units being disposed closer toether than the sectional rollers described in the copending application aforementioned, and further because in the case of belt-supporting units situated in the centre region of the belt 'bend they have a somewhat different and amore effective controlling action than straight axle sectional rollers in that region.

- In carrying the invention into practice the angle station may comprise a framework on In changing all the discs having a common axis of rotation contribute to the formation of a freely moving surface having a bulging contour which corresponds to the concavity of the portion of the belt supported thereby and which exerts a cor recting effort to prevent wander of the belt from its centre line of travel.

Preferably a set of belt-supporting units comprises at least two sectional rollers in the region of the centre portion of the bend of the belt run, with the discs forming a sectional roller or unit rotatable upon a common axle, the two or sectional roller units used will be referred to later. The belt-supporting unit has an overall length not less than the width of the supported belt. It is a feature of the invention that, in the case of those units which are employed in or near the centre of the belt bend,

inverted belt run adjacent the of. the belt run, said belt run .now extending at the lower level beneath the unit. In most cases at least five belt-supporting units would constitute a complete set .of units for supporting .the bend of a belt run, and the number of groups of discs constituting the plurality of units or sec,- tional rollers which compose a set thereof would be increased toward the centre of the bend of the belt run. Preferab'lyanodd number of units would constitute a set, with the units, such as five units, in the set arranged symmetrically, so that the unit which is disposed at the centre of the bend of the belt run would have the lar est number of groups of discs, whilst the number of groups of discs of units :on opposite sides of the centre unit would be pr g e i decreased- The belt-supporting units constituting a set may be arranged in a number of different ways: according, for example, to the width of the belt, the diameter of the bendor scroll of the belt run,

hm. and W and whether the belt run turns to the right or to the left. Accordingly, in some cases where the number of groups of discs forming a sectional roller or unit is equal to not less than three, the

portions of the common axle supporting the two outermost groups of discs would be oppositely inclined in relation to the medial portion of the common axle, whilst in other cases the portions of the common axle supporting the two outermost groups of discs would both be inclined on the'same side of the medial portionof the common axle.

The contours of the two or more sectional rollers or units composing a set would depend largely upon the position the unit has in the bend of the belt. In the regions where the belt run begins to bend away from the higher or lower level portions thereof sectional rollers of frustoconical or fir-cone shape would be used, sometimes incorporating wide substantially plain cylindrical rollers. In all cases the several discs which constitute the unit have diifering diameters so that'the peripheries thereof contribute when set on mutually inclined portions of the common axle support to the formation of a bul ing contour, the shape of which is determined so as to afford over substantially the whole of the length of the unit, comparatively close-set areas of supporting contact for the part of the belt to be supported. The widths of the peripheries of the discs may also be altered according to the position of the disc in the roller of which it forms part and the position of that roller in the unit.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood reference is directed to the drawings, wherein- Figure l is a diagrammatic end view of an angle station employing improved forms of beltsupporting units in the form of sectional rollers, and

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the I lower run supporting means;

J Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are detail views of four kinds of sectional rollers, three of which are shown in use in Figures 1 and 2;

Figures '7 and 8 illustrate how portions of the common axle of a belt-supporting unit may be mutually inclined;

Figure 9 shows a number of different forms in which the discs constituting the sectional rollers may be made and mounted;

, Figure 10 illustrates how the peripheries of the discs may be varied to alter the belt-contacting areas; and

Figures ll, 12, 13 and 14 are diagrams to illustrate the mode of determining the forms of the belt-supporting units.

' The angle station illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 2 shows the upper run of a conveyor belt stepped down from the level A to the level A by reason of bending the belt to turn .it through an angle of 90, and shows also the return run of the belt similarly bent through 90 and stepped up from level B to level B. The curved bends of supported by a set of belt-supporting units each including three sectional rollers, i. e. three rollers 29, 2| and 22 for the upper run and three rollers 20A, 21A and 22A for the return run. At the regions where the straight run of the belt begins to twist for bending and again where the bend portion straight'ens out the belt is supported by two sectional rollers .24 for the upper W1 seei e el i ler FA t er t both runs of the belt are each 4 turn run, or alternatively by a sectional roller 24 where level A commences as shown in Figure 1, and by a sectional roller 23A where level 3 commences, as shown in Figure 2.

The sectional rollers 20, 2|, 22 and 20A, 2|A, 22A may be of identical form and each of the constructions shown in Figure 3. Each unit comprises an axle l consisting of a centre length I and two adjoining end lengths I the centre and end lengths being separated by wedge-shaped collars l. On the centre length l of the cranked axle l, a symmetrical barrel-shaped roller section is supported which consists of a cylindrical central disc 2 flanked by oppositely tapered outer discs 2 separated one from the other by spacing washers 3. On each of the end lengths l of the cranked axle l is freely revolubly mounted a set of discs 4 4 4 and 4 separated one from the other by spacing washers 5 and carried on a sleeve 6 running on ball bearings I mounted on the axle length l The discs 4 4 1 and 4 are made with decreasing diameters so as together to constitute a tapered roller section of frusto-conical or peg-top form. The angles of inclination of the lengths l 1 of the axle l and the diameters of the rollers 2 4, 4 are determined so that the crests of the adjacent discs all be on a common continuous are or curve. In some cases the cranked axle flA of the unit may comprise more than three inclined portions, for example four mutually inclined lengths, of which the two centre lengths carry identical sets of discs 8 W and the two outer lengths carry identical sets of discs 9 9 as shown in Figure 4.

For use where the bend of the belt merges into the straight portion of the run the sectional rollers shown in Figures 5 and 6 may be emloyed; the sectional roller 23A shown in Figure 5 comprises an axle lB consisting of two axle lengths mutually inclined, with a set of discs Ill forming a tapered part on one axle length and a single parallel-sided cylinder H on the other axle length. The cylinder H may be replaced by a number of discs of. equal diameter and may be coned at one end. The sectional roller 24 shown in Figure 6 consists of a number of discs mounted on a straight axle to form a roller of fir-cone shape.

Figure '7 illustrates how the centre portion I of the common cranked axle l of Figure 3 may be inclined at a compound angle in relation to axle portion l i. e. the portion l may, viewed end wise be set at any angle ,8 in relation to the axis of portion l and also at any angular position (angle) within a complete circle (1 to 360). Similarly in the case of a four-roller unit, the axle portions l8, [8 of the two centre rollers may be inclined, as shown in Figure 8, at any desired angle and the outer axle portions I9, l9 may be set at any desired compound angle in relation to the adjacent axle portion [8.

Figure 9shows how each disc l4, l5, l6, l1 and I8 constituting a sectional roller may be independently mounted on its own ball bearing l2, with spacing rings 13 separating the discs. The discs l4, I5, l6 and I1 mayhave different constructional forms.

The object of using sectional rollers composed of a plurality of discs is to allow each disc to be made so as to exercise-thecorrecting action necessary at that particular place; this action must vary from place to place, along the unit because the linear speed of the bending belt varies across th w d h the o in. prde .r siweil jrisz:

2 and 4 4 Figure 11) must 5 tion between the belt and-the disc the amount of the periphery of the di-scwhich islincontac-t lwith thebelt may be reduced :so that the .disc doesmot contact with the beltsover the; whole width. of the disc. This may be done :by forming gen.- erous corner radii r at the .peripheraledges of the disc and also by making part of the disc periphery inclined at anangle ato theremainder of the periphery, as shown in Figure 10. Figures and 12 show how belts may be turned to right or to left with a turn which, in plan, is rightangular (Figure 11) or greater than :aright angle (Figure12). The turn maybe, of course, less than a right angle. The diameter :of the imaginary cylinder D around which thebelt may be viewed as wrapped should preferably be mot less thanone quarter. of the Width of the belt.

For the purpose of determininglthenumber of units in a set and the number. f :sectionalrollers grouped to form .a unitthe -:developmen t -'o'f the belt in a flat plane is considered (seeFigure 13) and according, among other ..factors, to the width of belt to besupportedand the permissible difference between the level of the :belt run before and after turning (he. the diameter D of the imaginary cylinder shownlin Figuresll and 1-2) a transverse layout line S1, S1, is setout at right angles to the edges of the belt run so as to intersect midway aline 0, 0 set out to represent the centre of the bend of thebelt and oniopposite sides of. layout line S1, S1, other transverse layout lines S2, S2, S3, S3 and S4, S4 are set out at distances Z1 Z2 and Z3. respectively'from line S1, S1. When the belt is bent as shown in Figure :14, the curvature of these layout lines indicatesapproximately the required contours of the-belt-supporting units. When a belt run is bent so as to change its direction of travel through 90 when viewed in plan, the belt is inverted and the level of the run drops from B to B1 (see Figures 2 and 14). It will be readily understood that when a conveyor belt is intended for use in an underground mine this drop distance from level B to level B1 (which corresponds to the diameter D of be keptas smallas possible. The smallest permissible diameter D of the imaginary parallel cylinder around which the belt run may b'econsidered to be wrapped will be largely dependent on the flexibility of the belt employed, which is determined ,mainly by the number ofplies used in the belt, and this in turn is related to the load-carrying capacity of the belt. It willbe understood by-those skilled in the art of conveyor design ,how to arrive at the requireddiai-neter D. Theoretically the beltirun commences to bend down from level B along the imaginary line E, E and merges into level B1 along the imaginary line F, F and these imaginary lines E, E and F, F, in the case of 90 turn in plan, are disposed parallel to and equidistant from the centre of bend line, C, C. It will be apparent therefore that the areas E1 and F1, shown shaded in Figures 13 and 14 can derive support from surfaces lying parallel to the longitudinal axis of the imaginary cylinder D. In the regions of the lines G, G and H, H the belt run can be supported by plain cylindrical rollers, whilst in the region of layout lines S4, S4 supporting units of the kinds illustrated in Figure 5 or Figure 6 are used, as these kinds provide straight or tapering portions suitable for controlling the portions of belt run lying within areas E1, F1 and tapering or more acutely tapering portions suited to those curved portions of the belt run which lie in the zone bounded by lines E, E and F, F. The curva- 6 tune or the belt bend is clearly greatest at the centre of the bend and it is in this region that the greatest controlling effect isrequired; hence sectional rollers having more groups of discs are employed. .Inthe region of layout line S1, S1 the linear speed of the belt varies rnostlyifrom the edges of the belt. run to the centre of Width. It is Well known that when a 'belt is Ipassedover a conical revolving surface it has a tendency to wander to one side and this known action is used by me to good account by determiningby calcula tion or otherwise the peripheral speed of the disc which would be situated in any particular place in the belt bend and then taking into consideration the nominal linear speed 'ofthe belt.

the amount of contact area between belt run and disc can be determined. "The so-called fangle of embrace Z of the belt run must be also taken into account, which in the embodiments illustrated and generally, will be that is, the angular distance between levels B, Bi. Figure 10 shows how the amount of contact can vary even as between adjacent discs, that is, the distance between K1, K3 on the left-hand disc in Figure 10 Will be more than that of the cor respondingare'a of belt contact with the middle disc, even allowing for the difference in the amount of embrace between the two discs and the 'belt run. The cone angles of the discs will usually vary, that is, generally the angle will decrease toward the centre of a group of discs, so that angle a is greater than a and 11 than (1. A double cone can be used on a single disc as shown in the lefthand roller of Figure 10, Where the angle a between points K1 and K2 is greater than angle a between points K2 and K3. It will thus be readily understood why three groups of discs may su'ffice in certain positions in the belt bend whereas a larger numberof groups of discs, such as five, is necessary at the centre of bend of the belt. I have found and it can be readily demonstrated that the line of belt contact of one group of discs. is in effect slightly offsetin relation to that of an adjacent group of discs. This is indicated by the stepped character of the layout lines-in Figures 13 and 14, where each of the offset portions represents a group of discs. It must be understood, however, that although the offset contact lines are lel the opposing ends of adjacentinclined portions of the commonaxle on which the groups of discs are mounted aresnot offset but meet or merge one into the other.

I claim: l. angle station .for supporting and controlling a run of an endless conveyor belt where it bends with inversion of said belt run to change its direction of travel, as viewed in plan, comprising a framework, a set of belt-supporting units rotatably mounted on said framework, each unit comprising at least two sectional rollers each having an overall width not less than the width of the belt run, and each of said sectional rollers being constituted by at least two groups of closely set freely revoluble discs and the several groups of discs being rotatable upon a common axle, each portion of said common axle on which a group of discs is supported being inclined relative to the adjoining portion of said axle, all the discs constituting the sectional rollers comprising a unit combining together to form for the belt a supporting surface having a bulging contour corresponding to the cavity of the portion of the bend of the belt supported thereby.

2. An angle station as claimed in claim 1,

approximately paralrollers of units on opposite sides of the centre unit is progressively decreased, the several groups of discs of each unit being revolubly supported on mutually inclined axles. 4. An angle station as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the number of groups of discs mounted on a common axle to form a unit is equal to not less than three, and that the portions of 7 said common axle supporting the two outermost rollers are oppositely inclined in relation to-the medial portion of said common axle. 5. An angle station as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the number of groups of discs forming a unit is equal to not less than three and that the portions of the common axle supporting the two outermost groups of discs are both inclined on the same side of the medial por-- tion of said common axle.

' 6. An angle station as claimed in claim' '1, wherein three groups of discs form a unit, the

centre group constituting a surface being sub- 5 stantially of barrel form and the two outer groups constituting surfaces substantially of frusto-conical form with the small ends of the outer groups of discs adjoining said centre group.

7. An angle station as claimed in claim 1, H

wherein four or more groups of discs form a unit, the two or more centre groupsof discs being. each substantially of barrel form and the two outer groups of discs substantially of frusto-con ical form with the small end of each outer roller facing the end of the adjacent centre roller.

8. An angle station comprising a pluralityof setsof belt-supporting units as claimed in claim 2, each set supporting and controlling the bend in a belt run and said plurality of sets of beltsupporting units being mounted on a. common framework. 9. An angle station for supporting and controlling for prevention of wandering a run'of an endless belt where it bends with inversion 'of 5 said belt run to change its direction of travel, as viewed in plan, comprising a framework; at least three cranked axles non-rotatably supported in said framework, each of said axles having at least two mutually inclined portions; and groups of closely-set zdiscs' freely and independently re.- voluble on each .ofv said axles, with a group of discs on each'axle portion the plurality of discs grouped on each cranked axle having various diameters which are such as'to combine to form, for the centre of the bend of the belt run which is to be supported, a supporting unit in the form of a sectional roller having a bulging contour which corresponds to the curving line of contact between the grouped discs supported on said com-.- mon cranked axle and the portion of belt run to be supported, so as to afford closely set places of support and control against wandering functioning over the full width of said belt run. a.

. 10. An angle station according to claim? 9, wherein each of the cranked-axle supporting units in the region of the centre of the belt atfords support near one edge of thebelt by passing beneath the belt run before inversion dueto bending and near the opposite edge of the belt by passing above the belt run after bending. V

11. An angle station according to 'c1aim...9; wherein the sectional rollers in the centre portion of the bend of the belt run are flanked by at least one additional sectional roller. a 12. An angle station according to claim 11, characterised in that the additional sectional roller comprises aplurality of closely setfreely revoluble discs on a single straight axle. 13. An angle station according to claim 11', characterised in that the additional sectional roller comprises a parallel sided cylinder anda group of discs of graduated diameter decreasing in size toward an end of said sectional-roller, said cylinder and said group of discs being respectively mounted for free rotation upon mutual- 1y inclined portions of a common axle.

RUDOLF MILQIK REFERENCES CITED l.

'The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany June 29,: 193i 

